DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In FIG. 1 , a base 1 is of a generally rectangular shape and has side walls 2 and 3 , a carriage end 4 , and a well end 5 . In this preferred version, the base 1 has guides 6 and 7 for guiding the progress of a solution reservoir carriage, which is further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 . Receptacles 47 may be used for retaining nubs (see FIG. 4 ). Connector 8 and hinge elements 9 permit a lid to be fastened to or hinged to the base 1 .

[0016] FIG. 2 shows the construction of a preferred exterior lid 20 from its under side. The exterior lid is distinguished by the well covers 21 for the lens wells 31 and 32 (see FIG. 3 ). Well covers 21 are designed to seal fluid in the wells 31 and 32 when the lid is correctly closed. Preferably the exterior lid 20 includes hinge elements 22 for contacting with hinge element 9 of base 1 at its well end 5 , to form a complete hinge, permitting the exterior lid 20 to be lifted to access the lens wells 31 and 32 while still remaining oriented to close accurately over the lens wells. At the opposite end of lid 20 is a connector 23 for securing with base 1 . A recess 24 may be designed into the lid for a mirror (see FIG. 10 ).

[0017] The lens well unit 30 in FIG. 3 comprises two wells 31 and 32 . It contains a duct 33 leading from a prong 34 to a “Y” 37 and then to the two lens wells 31 and 32 . Prong 34 is designed to connect to the collapsible solution reservoir not shown. The connection may be made by puncturing an opening in the solution reservoir, and thus the prong 34 has a pointed insert 35 . Duct 33 passes through prong 34 and valve container 36 , which will accommodate a manually operated valve 60 illustrated in FIG. 6 . Lens well unit 30 also has a passage 38 for a rinse spout illustrated in FIGS. 5, 8 and 10 . When rinse spout 80 ( FIG. 8 ) is inserted into passage 38 in the appropriate manner, it blocks duct 33 , assuring that no liquid will come out of the solution reservoir.

[0018] The carriage 40 shown in FIG. 4 is basically L-shaped, comprising support elements 41 , 42 , and 43 , and upright element 44 . Support elements 41 , 42 , and 43 are designed to ride between guides 6 and 7 illustrated on base 1 in FIG. 1 , while supporting the collapsible reservoir not shown. Nubs 45 and 46 are dimensioned to fit temporarily in receptacles 47 as seen in FIG. 1 , as the carriage 40 is moved incrementally toward lens wells 31 and 32 . The distance between receptacles 47 is preferably calculated so that the incrementally reduced volume of a collapsible solution reservoir is substantially the amount of solution required for treatment of lenses in wells 31 and 32 .

[0019] In FIG. 5 a, both the well unit 30 and the carriage 40 are shown installed in the base 1 . The collapsible solution reservoir, not shown, is to be placed between carriage upright element 44 and well unit 30 , and connected to port 34 of the well unit 30 . An exterior end 82 of spout 80 is seen projecting from side wall 2 of base 1 . Valve handle 63 is turned to permit the flow of solution to rinse spout 80 . In FIG. 5 b, the collapsible reservoir 85 is illustrated; it is in fluid communication with prong 34 but otherwise simply rests in the area between well unit 30 and upright element 44 .

[0020] The valve 60 of FIG. 6 is seen to have perpendicular passages 61 and 62 . Passage 61 is designed to complete duct 33 , permitting fluid to pass from the reservoir 85 and well unit 30 , and passage 62 is designed to permit insertion of a rinse spout (see FIG. 8 ) for conveying solution to the exterior of the device. Valve 60 is for positioning in valve container 36 of lens well unit 30 (see FIG. 3 ), and may be accessed by the user by lifting exterior lid 20 , which is hinged on base 1 by hinge elements 9 and 22 . It is turned by valve handle 63 .

[0021] In FIG. 7 , the interior lid 70 is shown. It is designed to cover primarily the collapsible solution reservoir 85 , seen in FIGS. 5 b, 11 a and 11 b. Interior lid 70 is retained by snap-in retainers 71 which connect with base 1 at connector 8 . Interior lid 70 may be removed in order to insert a new solution reservoir but otherwise is intended to remain in place when the user moves carriage 40 incrementally to inject solution into the lens wells or cause it to flow through rinse spout 80 . When interior lid 70 is in place, upright element 44 (See FIG. 5 ) is accessible through aperture 72 . The user ejects solution from the reservoir by grasping upright element 44 and moving it from one receptacle 47 to the next receptacle 47 , engaging the nubs 45 and 46 in the receptacles 47 .

[0022] FIG. 8 shows a rinse spout 80 for insertion through passage 61 or 62 of valve 60 . It is designed with a transverse passage 81 to connect with duct 33 of well unit 30 , and passes through side wall 2 of base 1 —see also FIGS. 5 and 10 .

[0023] FIG. 9 is the preferred appearance of the assembled unit in its closed configuration. Exterior lid 20 is seen to be closed on base 1 , while rinse spout 80 is recessed in base 1 .

[0024] In FIG. 10 , the exterior lid 20 is flipped open, revealing the upright element 44 forming a tab which is used to constrict the reservoir 85 (see FIGS. 11 a and 11 b ) by moving it incrementally through aperture 72 . The liquid reservoir is not shown in this view, but it would normally be immediately visible in aperture 72 . The lower side of exterior lid 20 may have a mirror 84 for the convenience of the user. In this posture of the device, rinse spout 82 is shown to be extended and turned downward, which will permit liquid to flow from the liquid reservoir through duct 33 to liquid spout 82 , so it may be directed to the user's palm or other outside receptacle.

[0025] In FIG. 11 a, it may be observed that the exterior lid 20 will not close because the valve handle 63 is turned to a position which will block the downward movement of the lid 20 . This is the position permitting fluid to flow. In FIG. 11 b , the valve handle 63 , in the closed position to prevent the flow of liquid, the external lid 20 will close.

[0026] In operation, a filled solution reservoir 85 is placed on the carriage 40 and oriented so its opening faces pointed insert 35 of the lens well unit 30 . The reservoir opening is then connected with the pointed insert 35 , enabling fluid to pass from reservoir 85 into duct 33 . Valve 60 should be closed for storage or transport by inserting rinse spout 80 completely into passage 38 and, as mentioned above, lid 70 cannot be closed unless valve handle 62 is closed. Contact lenses may be placed in the wells 31 and 32 either in the presence of solution or in a dry state. The lids 20 and 70 are then closed and the unit is ready for travel. When it is time for use, the exterior lid 20 is opened, exposing upright element 44 of carriage 40 so the user may inject solution into the wells 31 and 32 by first opening valve 60 and then moving carriage 40 towards the wells one notch—that is, to the next receptacle 47 . Movement of carriage 40 the first increment will cause a measured dose of solution to pass through duct 33 to the wells 31 and 32 . Preferably each well will be filled to about ¾ level. After removing the lenses from the wells, the lids may be closed and the unit is ready to transport again. Alternatively, rinse spout 80 is withdrawn a short distance out of side wall 2 and turned ninety degrees to divert the flow of solution from duct 33 to the rinse spout 80 . The flow of solution may then be directed into the user's hand so the lens can be wetted prior to use.

[0027] The particular construction illustrated can be varied considerably within the scope of the claims below. For example, it is not necessary for the carriage to be guided by guides 6 and 7 on base 1 ; guides need not be used at all, or, if they are, they can be placed on the walls of the base rather than on its floor. Likewise, the illustrated receptacles and nubs are a presently preferred design for ensuring more or less measured doses of fluid; this also is not necessary since the user can easily see the amount of fluid entering the wells, but if used, could also be on the walls 2 and/or 3 . The carriage itself is not necessary, since any device capable of constricting the reservoir is contemplated within our invention. The constrictor may be built into the reservoir—that is, it may simply be part of the wall of the reservoir. While we prefer that the reservoir be constructed with a neck or opening that can be punctured by prong 34 or a similar device, any convenient device for establishing fluid flow between the reservoir and the duct ( 33 ) or Y ( 37 ) may be used.

[0028] Our invention therefore includes a contact lens carrying and treating device comprising (a) a case (b) at least one lens well in said case, (c) a collapsible solution reservoir within the case, (d) a constrictor for the collapsible solution reservoir for incrementally collapsing the collapsible solution reservoir within the case (e) a duct for conveying solution from the solution reservoir to the at least one lens well as the solution reservoir is collapsed, and (f) a valve in the duct for permitting solution to flow towards the at least one lens well when the solution reservoir is incrementally collapsed.

[0029] Our invention also includes a contact lens travel case comprising (a) a base, (b) at least two lens wells on the base, (c) a liquid reservoir on the base (d) a duct leading from the liquid reservoir to the lens wells, (e) a constrictor for constricting the reservoir to cause liquid to pass from the reservoir through the duct to the wells, (f) an internal lid covering the wells while permitting a user to access the constrictor, and (g) an external lid closing off access to said constrictor.

[0030] In another version, our invention includes a container and applicator for contact lens solution comprising a contact lens solution reservoir, the reservoir being reducible in volume as a function of the amount of solution therein, at least one solution well, the solution well having a connection to the solution reservoir to convey solution from the reservoir to the at least one well, and a valve for blocking and opening the connection.